Looking Ahead, What are the 10 Hottest Careers and Jobs?

Posted on May 14, 2009 by Jennifer Brady

I am happy to introduce this guest post and our latest guest blogger Rajiv Malhotra, UMassOnline’s Research Analyst.

The term “jobs on the rise” is popping up as a major search phrase in our site analytics these days. Obviously current and prospective students want to know which fields and occupations will be the most plentiful, stable and lucrative in the future. This link, courtesy of Career-Tests-Guide, appears to be a good source of information related to career development. Their source, in turn, is the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

For convenience I’m providing the top ten lists featured in the link, but you should consider scanning the article in full for their analysis and interpretation of these job and career trends if this is important to your decision making. After the listings you’ll also find a link to courses and programs offered through UMassOnline that prepare students for these future positions.

Here are ten hottest careers that have the fastest percentage growth for at least bachelors’ degree holders during 2002-2012:

Network systems and data communications analysts
Physician assistants
Computer software engineers, applications
Computer software engineers, systems software
Database administrators
Computer systems analysts
Environmental engineers
Network and computer systems administrators
Computer and information systems managers
Physical therapists

The following top ten careers list is occupations that have the most new jobs during 2002-2012, for bachelor’s degree holders:

Elementary school teachers, except special education
Accountants and auditors
Computer systems analysts
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education
Computer software engineers, applications
Special education teachers
Computer software engineers, systems software
Network systems and data communications analysts
Network and computer systems administrators
Computer programmers

Now, for the UMassOnline offerings related to the above lists. You can view these degrees and certificates offered in these areas by visiting the UMassOnline website.